Yes, the Oscars are so highbrow. Such a tremendous honor to win. But the Golden Globes are better for us because we won't ever win an Oscar but we can enjoy the light-hearted, entertaining, sometimes drunken fun that is the Globes.
Last night was a good example of why, if you have to watch just one awards show (and you don't, seriously-- why do they even bother with the people's choice awards), make it the Golden Globes. It wasn't as risque as we've seen with Ricky Gervais' recent run, but Tina Fey and Amy Poehler did a great job... hitting on just about every joke they dropped and keeping things moving smoothly. Some good presenting from Will Ferrell and Kristen Wig, Aziz Ansari and Jason Batemen, Sasha Baron Cohen, Leno and Fallon and more. Some good speeches and some weird speeches like Jodi Foster's rambling, yet oddly touching something or other for receiving the Cecil B. DeMille award always keep things worth watching as well.
The winners, aside from Lena Dunham winning for Girls (both acting and for comedy show) was a bit of a surprise, weren't great shocks. Whether or not this portends for Oscar wins for Argo or Daniel Day Lewis... it's always hard to tell.
But with Ben Affleck (Married to my old Denison chum (used very loosely) Jen Garner, winning the Best Director award over the mildly favored Steven Spielberg it got me thinking... Spielberg is truly the Paul McCartney of Hollywood director.
Right, you're thinking, I still haven't sobered up from all the Golden Globe parties last night and while that's true, just stick with me. Through the years as the legacy of Beatles has grown there's been a growing chorus that looks at their work and has declared Lennon the serious one and McCartney the more bubblegum Beatle. This helped by the fact that while McCartney still managed hit after poppy hit after band broke up, Lennon hooked up with, Yoko Ono, an avant guard artist and made music that was a little bit more out there.
Steven Spielberg has gained a similar, bubblegum reputation for some reason, to the point where I don't always feel like his work is taken as seriously as others, despite the quality. Despite films like Munich and Saving Private Ryan and Schindler's List, The Color Purple and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, I feel like he's more often associated with his lighter stuff. The Indian Jones films and E.T. or A.I. , Hook or Minority Report. These are all good movies and if you look back at his resume you'll see there's really not a bad one among them, but one thing that is a commonality is success. His movies are almost all universally successful. And I think, like McCartney, it's that success that, for some reason, removes the "serious" label from his name.
To contrast, look at someone like Terrence Malick. He's regarded as one of the best directors in Hollywood. He's also known as a very "serious" director. His material is deep and layered and, in some cases (The Tree of Life) hard for some to even follow. But let's look more at the facts. Malick got his start directing in 1969 (with a short film), to date he's released six features since then (with a couple in the works). Spielberg has been working since the early 60s, but has released nearly 50 films as a director. Were you to pick and choose six, say the six I mentioned above, you too would consider Spielberg to be a very serious director.
I recognize this is a fight that doesn't need to be fought. Spielberg is, without a doubt, a tremendous director, but he deserves more credit than he even gets. Just a rambling thought for the morning.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Gun Control Duh (Politics)
I believe in the Constitution of the United States. I believe in the second amendment to that constitution. It reads: A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Ok then. Every state actually has a National Guard and also we've got a relatively well supplied Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines... so we're pretty good on the security front.
There's no doubt, in my mind, that people should be allowed to own guns for hunting, fun and even personal protection, but it's time to bring some common sense into this fight.
First off, yes, assault weapons are really fun to shoot, but they're also really dangerous in the wrong hands and there's no reason for anyone outside of the military to have them. If you need one to hunt, then you're a really crap hunter. If you can't take down your prey with a single shot from a nice, high powered rifle, you shouldn't be hunting in the first place. Sorry.
Second, high volume clips have got to go. They're talking about a limit of 10. That sounds fine. When would you need more than that. Again, as a crap hunter? Sorry. Because you're too lazy when you are sport shooting. Take the extra 10 seconds, drop your first clip and put in the next one.
Third, universal background checks. That's for buying and selling guns anywhere, any time and for people buying ammunition. Also, every state needs to update and make complete their lists of felons, the mentally ill and anyone else who should not be eligible to purchase guns and gun related material. This means, for private sales, gun shows... anything, the background check needs to happen. The government needs to facilitate a more efficient system to the checks. It should be a simple process of typing in a name, social security number and driver's license and the information should be there. Perhaps by adding taxes to gun and ammo sales, they could pay a nice, private company to do actually do this efficiently.
Finally, it's time for real licensing laws for guns. I know some gun owners fear a government trying to control their lives. Trying to get that information so they can take them out in some amazing ATF led shootout... but yeah, it's time to shut the fuck up and go get a real license. The reason everyone is required to have a license to drive a car is because it's so dangerous to have drivers on the street who don't know what they are doing and cars are big, heavy things that can kill someone if no handled correctly.
Guns, shockingly, work in similar fashion. Much like they do with cars, people need to take a written test and a physical test to show they understand the safety rules and how to safely operate a gun. I understand there's a "freedom" issue that many will scream about but that's simply because those folks don't understand what freedom is. Freedom isn't about being able to do whatever you want, whenever you want. Otherwise I'd just drive up to the nicest house in town and take all their nice stuff and keep it, you know, because I like nice things. Freedom gives us the chance to speak our minds, to do many things that people all over the world long for, but it doesn't mean you get do have anything you want, how you want it, whenever you want it. We, as a nation, should be acting in the best interests of the nation.
Look, no one is trying to take all of your guns. It's likely that everyone would be grandfathered into any legislation that passed because, let's be honest, the government literally coming to get people's guns would get ugly. It's time to get in line and understand that there's a world outside your own, one that suffered from more than 6000 gun related homicide in 2010. And it's not just about gun ownership, there's a whole other side to this about mental health and that's a much longer article, but this is a start.
And by the way, to reinforce the idea that it's not just about the guns, Switzerland has one the highest rates of gun ownership in the world (basically 20-30% of the country has a gun) yet in 2010 they had a total of 34 murders or attempted murders with a gun. Let's start fixing this today. Please.
There's no doubt, in my mind, that people should be allowed to own guns for hunting, fun and even personal protection, but it's time to bring some common sense into this fight.
First off, yes, assault weapons are really fun to shoot, but they're also really dangerous in the wrong hands and there's no reason for anyone outside of the military to have them. If you need one to hunt, then you're a really crap hunter. If you can't take down your prey with a single shot from a nice, high powered rifle, you shouldn't be hunting in the first place. Sorry.
Second, high volume clips have got to go. They're talking about a limit of 10. That sounds fine. When would you need more than that. Again, as a crap hunter? Sorry. Because you're too lazy when you are sport shooting. Take the extra 10 seconds, drop your first clip and put in the next one.
Third, universal background checks. That's for buying and selling guns anywhere, any time and for people buying ammunition. Also, every state needs to update and make complete their lists of felons, the mentally ill and anyone else who should not be eligible to purchase guns and gun related material. This means, for private sales, gun shows... anything, the background check needs to happen. The government needs to facilitate a more efficient system to the checks. It should be a simple process of typing in a name, social security number and driver's license and the information should be there. Perhaps by adding taxes to gun and ammo sales, they could pay a nice, private company to do actually do this efficiently.
Finally, it's time for real licensing laws for guns. I know some gun owners fear a government trying to control their lives. Trying to get that information so they can take them out in some amazing ATF led shootout... but yeah, it's time to shut the fuck up and go get a real license. The reason everyone is required to have a license to drive a car is because it's so dangerous to have drivers on the street who don't know what they are doing and cars are big, heavy things that can kill someone if no handled correctly.
Guns, shockingly, work in similar fashion. Much like they do with cars, people need to take a written test and a physical test to show they understand the safety rules and how to safely operate a gun. I understand there's a "freedom" issue that many will scream about but that's simply because those folks don't understand what freedom is. Freedom isn't about being able to do whatever you want, whenever you want. Otherwise I'd just drive up to the nicest house in town and take all their nice stuff and keep it, you know, because I like nice things. Freedom gives us the chance to speak our minds, to do many things that people all over the world long for, but it doesn't mean you get do have anything you want, how you want it, whenever you want it. We, as a nation, should be acting in the best interests of the nation.
Look, no one is trying to take all of your guns. It's likely that everyone would be grandfathered into any legislation that passed because, let's be honest, the government literally coming to get people's guns would get ugly. It's time to get in line and understand that there's a world outside your own, one that suffered from more than 6000 gun related homicide in 2010. And it's not just about gun ownership, there's a whole other side to this about mental health and that's a much longer article, but this is a start.
And by the way, to reinforce the idea that it's not just about the guns, Switzerland has one the highest rates of gun ownership in the world (basically 20-30% of the country has a gun) yet in 2010 they had a total of 34 murders or attempted murders with a gun. Let's start fixing this today. Please.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
NHL RETURNS! (Sports---duh)
So, the long lockout has ended... much as many experts predicted... right when pushed to the edge of losing a season. The players gave up much, the owners gained a lot and fans once again got kicked in the collective groin. Now let's be honest, there were three groups of people during this lockout: People who cared and waited with bated breathe for the league to return. People who cared, but were so angry that they were willing to burn jerseys and give up season tickets to make a point. And most people, who didn't realize the NHL wasn't playing in the first place.
While this lockout undoubtedly damaged a league that has been growing steadily over the last six or seven years, I suspect the damage won't be as long lasting as some think. Not because it didn't damage the league's relationship with their real fans --it did and they need to work hard to win them back-- but mostly because they're still on mile 2 of a 100 mile journey to building the league to a real, recognizable sports power and they're not getting there any time fast.
I think this position was no better exemplified than by last June and the Los Angeles King's ride to the Stanley Cup. One local news station, during their coverage, couldn't get the name of the King's captain Anze Kopitar pronounced correctly. Tough name, but still... going for the championship you'd think the sports guy could have helped. More egregious than getting some foreigner's name right was the fact that they repeatedly used the Sacramento Kings (of the NBA) logo when talking about their Los Angeles Kings. It's like being at your sister Karen's wedding and holding up a picture of some other woman named Karen that you found on Facebook... you and Karen were never that close.
Hockey is, without question, the best sport around. It's always exciting. There is no playoff, in any other sport, that really rivals hockey. But let's be honest, at least 75% of this country could give a crap. Actually they can't even do that because they wouldn't know where to leave it. They just don't know anything about the league and the league hasn't given them reason to look yet or an easy means to do so.
So yeah, this lockout hurt, but the path was already long, now it's a just a couple of steps longer. No biggie though, they're weren't anywhere near the top of the mountain to begin with.
While this lockout undoubtedly damaged a league that has been growing steadily over the last six or seven years, I suspect the damage won't be as long lasting as some think. Not because it didn't damage the league's relationship with their real fans --it did and they need to work hard to win them back-- but mostly because they're still on mile 2 of a 100 mile journey to building the league to a real, recognizable sports power and they're not getting there any time fast.
I think this position was no better exemplified than by last June and the Los Angeles King's ride to the Stanley Cup. One local news station, during their coverage, couldn't get the name of the King's captain Anze Kopitar pronounced correctly. Tough name, but still... going for the championship you'd think the sports guy could have helped. More egregious than getting some foreigner's name right was the fact that they repeatedly used the Sacramento Kings (of the NBA) logo when talking about their Los Angeles Kings. It's like being at your sister Karen's wedding and holding up a picture of some other woman named Karen that you found on Facebook... you and Karen were never that close.
Hockey is, without question, the best sport around. It's always exciting. There is no playoff, in any other sport, that really rivals hockey. But let's be honest, at least 75% of this country could give a crap. Actually they can't even do that because they wouldn't know where to leave it. They just don't know anything about the league and the league hasn't given them reason to look yet or an easy means to do so.
So yeah, this lockout hurt, but the path was already long, now it's a just a couple of steps longer. No biggie though, they're weren't anywhere near the top of the mountain to begin with.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
A Current Affair (Media-Politics)
So it was announced yesterday that Al Gore had sold his Current TV network to Al Jazerra. Unlike what some people may believe, Al Jazeera is not some radical terrorist led media organization, just a Qatar based award winning news network with a name that's not Anglicized. The plan was to take those 60 million homes that currently receive (but let's be honest few watch) Current and use that to launch a brand new Al Jazeera America. It will be a welcome, independent voice on the US News landscape dominated by Fox News, MSNBC and the lost in the woods CNN.
Sadly, too many still fear the Arabic name rather than the message behind it. Time Warner Cable responded to the news, by dropping Current from their line-up. They claim it is because of low ratings (which isn't unreasonable), but the timing seems a bit suspect. They also say they have a deal with Al Jazeera English (the international Al Jazeera channel, separate from the brand new Al Jazeera America), but they have no plans of adding either to their channel line-up any time soon.
Sadly, too many still fear the Arabic name rather than the message behind it. Time Warner Cable responded to the news, by dropping Current from their line-up. They claim it is because of low ratings (which isn't unreasonable), but the timing seems a bit suspect. They also say they have a deal with Al Jazeera English (the international Al Jazeera channel, separate from the brand new Al Jazeera America), but they have no plans of adding either to their channel line-up any time soon.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Mockingbird Lane to Nowhere (Entertainment)
Sad news from NBC that they won't be taking Bryan Fuller's Mockingbird Lane to series. It's not a shock considering the way they kept pushing it off and then dumped the show on a Friday night, but it's a still disappointing simply because Fuller does such a fine job with his shows. Guess we'll see if things fare better with Hannibal, supposedly coming to NBC this Spring.
Cliff (Politics)
So the fiscal cliff has been crossed and while we didn't necessarily turn back we did attach a glider to our backs that should carry us for say... two months or so. On the whole I found the matter to be disappointing. Taxes are going up on just about everyone with a job as the payroll taxes are restored to just over six percent and for some, that's going to hurt. Preserving the other tax rates for individuals under $400,000 is nice, but I'm bothered by two things; the idea that $400,000 is now middle class and that real tax reform is once again an idea that no one wants to tackle.
Look, the median income in the U.S. is about $50,000.... that's where the majority of us live. It's such a small percentage (really less than one) who gets to live at that higher elevation so to call that middle class really is a load of crap. Republicans can try and defend where they live on this, but raising those taxes just won't impact the economy like that claimed. No real study showed that they would, nor the idea that those people are the "job creators" and if you raised their taxes that they'd just all stop trying to grow their businesses, close down and take their cash to the Caymans. It was and still is a ridiculous argument.
Is the idea that the government is terrible at spending your money wrong, no. But there's no intellectual honesty in what they say when it's followed up by, we can't touch rich people or corporations for revenue and you can't touch the military when it comes to spending cuts. In truth, they're seeking what the Moral Majority has been preaching since it was founded, the destruction of the Federal Government as an entity, cut back to the bone and returning money and power to the states (and thereby the individuals.) It's a nice idea, but it doesn't work in practice. Much like that floated idea that after we cut social programs, even though many states have said they're not going to add any services... we can rely on charity to pick up the slack. That just doesn't work.
Look back in history before our current medicare and social security... you know who was stepping in to help the poor? No one. In much the same when when you hear the right calling for fewer regulations on businesses because the market will force them to regulate. It won't. It doesn't. Especially in a market where such wealthy companies wield so much power. Before the EPA it's not like companies were being more careful because the public would scold them into not dumping stuff... they just did it, didn't tell anyone and hoped they'd never get caught.... hello Love Canal.
Remember how great workers rules were back in the day? Everyone being paid a fair wage for a fair days work? You don't. It's not just because you are too young, it's also because it didn't happen.
It's time someone called bullshit on all this. You want a smaller government? That's fine, but let's be honest. Let's live in the real world and look at how we address the real world problems and stop using rhetoric to distort the facts.
The Start
Because, short of starting at the end (which seems like a lot less work), it seems like the start is the best place to begin.
There are three things I keep an eye on every day. Three things that often make me laugh, get me angry or make me cry; Sports, Entertainment and Politics. We'll cover each on this site, including some news and interviews, but mostly opinion from me. Who am I? Just someone who has been around the block a couple of times, is a true sports fan (because I have been labeled as "long suffering) and who cares about the world I live in and what's happening with it. I'll try to label all the posts so you can feel free to skip one topic or the other should they not interest you. Please feel free to email me (chrismediamachine@gmail.com) or check out my twitter feed (@cmmediamachine) for me. Let's begin....
There are three things I keep an eye on every day. Three things that often make me laugh, get me angry or make me cry; Sports, Entertainment and Politics. We'll cover each on this site, including some news and interviews, but mostly opinion from me. Who am I? Just someone who has been around the block a couple of times, is a true sports fan (because I have been labeled as "long suffering) and who cares about the world I live in and what's happening with it. I'll try to label all the posts so you can feel free to skip one topic or the other should they not interest you. Please feel free to email me (chrismediamachine@gmail.com) or check out my twitter feed (@cmmediamachine) for me. Let's begin....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)